Valve for controlling plastic concrete mixtures



Dec. 14, 1937. J. c. MERWIN ET AL 2,102,571

VALVE FOR CONTROLLING PLASTIC CON CRETE MIXTURES v Filed Nov. 18, 1953 3Sheets-Sheet 1 John Gjilsrwin, .HudolphELindoW.

7' J. c. MERWIN El AL 2,102,571

VALVE FOR CONTROLLING PLASTIC CONCRETE MIXTURES Filed Nov. 18, 1935 :5Sheets-Shet 2- John Gjllerwin, a RudolphELindoug,

Dec; 14, 1937. J. c. MERyVIN ET AL ,102,571

VALVE FOR CONTROLLING PLASTIC CONCRETE MIXTUREQ Filed Nbv. 18, 19:53 5Sheets-Sheet s gnuzhloiy a RadolphELindow,

Guiana action of the cement and the water.

Patented Dec. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES VALVE FOR CONTROLLING PLASTIC CONCRETE MIXTURES John C. Merwin and Rudolph F. Llndow, Milwaukee, Wis.,assignors to Chain Belt Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation ofWisconsin Application November 18, 1933, Serial No. 698,716

3 Claims.

This invention relates to valves for controlling the flow of plasticconcrete mixtures and has for one of its objects to provide a valvestructure specially adapted for use in connection with such mixtures,which will be simplein construction, comparatively inexpensive tomanufacture and more efllcient in operation than those which have beenheretofore proposed.

Concrete as defined by the American Concrete Institute is a mixture inwhich a paste of Portland cement and water binds fine and coarsematerials, known as aggregates, into a rock-like mass as the pastehardens through the chemical The most commonly used form of fineaggregate is sand,

while gravel and crushed rock are the most common forms of coarseaggregate. Any aggregate up te in greatest dimension is considered fine,while coarse aggregates in present day commercial use may range from upto 3" Or more in greatest dimension. The proportions of the variousconstituents vary within a relatively wide range but in substantiallyall of the commonly used mixes the coarse aggregates comprise asubstantial percentage of the total ,bulk. For example in one of themost commonly used mixes, i. e. the 1--24 mix, there is one part ofcement to two parts of sand and four parts of gravel or crushed rock,and it will be readily apparent that in such a mixture the coarseaggregate constitutes more than 50% of the mixture.

A normal concrete mixture such as the above which has a large percentageof solid pieces 01 irregular shape, even in the so-called wet mixes,does not follow the well recognized laws of fluids. For example, aliquid or gas flowing through a closed conduit at a given rate, uponencountering a restriction or obstruction in such conduit will increaseits velocity at that point in passing the obstruction, whereas a plasticconcrete mixture upon encountering a similar restriction or obstructionwill reduce its velocity and tend to pack or stow at such point so as tocompletely stop the flow. This stowing property is due to a large extentto the presence in the mixture of the pieces or coarse aggregate whichresist to a marked extent any force tending to change their relativepositions within the mixture.

Because of this peculiar stowing property possessed by plastic concretemixtures it has been found impractical to employ the. well-known typesof valves, such as ball valves, mushroom valves, flap valves and thelike, which are commonly used for controlli g the flow of liquids andgases, large- 1y because of the tortuous passages and obstructionsimposed by the valve parts when in their open positions. On the. otherhand, there has been recently developed a type of oscillating plug valvehaving passageways through it of uniform diameter and completeclearances between its moving parts which has been successfully used inthe controlling of movements of plastic concrete mixtures.

It has also been proposed to employ the ordinary type of sliding gatevalve in controlling concrete mixtures but experience has shown thatwith the usual type designed for handling fluids the pressures upon thegate are so great as to require an excessive amount of force in movingthe same to and from its closed position, and the wear upon the parts isalso very excessive.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simpleand efiective valve construction in which the above objections areovercome, in that it will require a minimum amount of power to operate,and replacements of worn valve members may be quickly and easilyefiected without dismantling the entire valve.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists in the novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts more fully hereinafter describedand particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification in which like reference characters designate like parts inall the views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a well known form of mechanicalconcrete pump provided with inlet and outlet valve structures inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view through thevalve structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional plan view taken approximately on theplane indicated by' the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a pipesection'provided with a modified form of valve construction moreespecially adapted for use as a stop valve in a pipe line, the partsbeing shown in the open position of the valve;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the parts shown in Figure 4, asseen from the right of the latter figure;

Figure 6 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the modified formof valve, illustrating the "closed position thereof;

Figure 7 is a'transverse sectional view, taken approximately on theplane indicated by the line 1-1 of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the parts illustrated in Figure 6. i

The prior art valves above mentioned have been used principally as theinlet and outlet valves of a recently developed form of mechanical pump4 to 8, inclusive. s

The pump illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a cylinder 5, a piston 6working therein, a feed hopper I, communicating with the inlet passage 8of a valve housing 9 which may also embody in the same structure theoutlet passage III communieating with the discharge line II. The valvehousing 9 is joined to one end of the cylinder 5 substantially as shownand its inlet passage 8 is controlled by a valve structure I2 while theoutlet passage I0 is controlled by valve structure I 3.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of these valves may comprise aplurality of spaced rods or prongs I5 which are slldably mounted inapertures IIi formed in the wall of the valve housing so that they maybe slid transversely of their respective passages to partially obstructthe same. The inner ends of the prongs I5 are preferably pointed as atIT, while the outer ends thereof are slidably received in a cross headI8 with springs or other resilient elements I9 being interposed betweenthe said cross head and abutments 20 provided with each prong, wherebythere is provided a yielding, slidable connection between the prongs andthe cross head. The extreme end of each prong carries a nut 2| forlimiting the movement of the prong relative to the cross head in-onedirection.

The cross head I8 also has rigidly secured to it a pair of spaced racks22 which extend substantially parallel to the prongs I5 and the teeth ofwhich are engaged by the companion teeth of the gear sectors 23, whichare rigidly carried by the shaft 24 suitably journalled in the wall tothe housing 9., The said shaft also rigidly carries an actuating member25 having the arms 26, provided with slots 21, for receiving theconnecting pin 28of the valve actuating rod 29 by means of which thevalve is moved to and from closed position. The pump is provided with apair of valve actuating rock levers 33, one for each valve, the onecontrolling the inlet being shown in Figure 1, which rock levers'areactuated by suitable cams carried or driven by the crank shaft of thepump, as is usual in this particular apparatus. The valve housing ispreferably provided with lugs 30 adjacent each set of valve prongs, inwhich are mounted transverse shafts 3| upon the outer ends of which arerota-table guide rolls 32 which I bear against the rear faces of theracks to take the thrust of the gears 23, and maintain the racks inoperative position.

' 1 In operation the inlet and outlet sets of prongs are movedalternately into and out of their'respective passageways 8 and III intimed "relation to each other and to the movements of the pump piston 6,by the rock levers 33 and actuating rods 29, to control the flow of thematerial in such passages,- substantially the same as any other pump.The-prongs being of materially less diamposition with the use ofmaterially less power,

than would be required in case of .a solid gate valve such as wasmentioned above. Likewise, in the event the prongs become worn and it isnecessary to replace them, the operation may be quickly and easilyeffected by simply backing off on the nuts 2|, sliding the prongsforwardly to disengage the outer ends thereof from the cross head sothat the springs I9 may be removed and then moving the prongs in theopposite direction until their inner ends are disengaged from theapertures I6, whereupon a new prong may be put in place by a reverseoperation.

Should one or more of the prongs encounter a piece of large aggregateduring its closing operation, which piece is directly in the path oftravel of the prong, the spring I9 thereof will yield and permit theprong to stop short of its maximum travel without damage to the prong orcalling upon it to crush the aggregate. This spring arrangementeliminates the necessity for the relatively complicated yieldableconstruction of the actuating rods 29 heretofore employed; and by reasonof the fact that the slots 21 in arms 26 are struck upon an arc, thecenter of which is the axis of the pin 35 which connects the rod 29 tothe rock lever 33, the pin 28 which pivotally connects the said rods 29to the valve actuating arms 26 may be positioned outwardly or inwardlyin the said slots to decrease or increase the travel of the valve prongsI5 without the necessity of shortening or lengthening the rod tomaintain the zero or open position of the valve constant. Theconnections 29 may thus take the form of plain solid or tubular rodsinstead of the complicated structures heretofore deemed necessary.

shorter section in order to facilitate the placing of. the valve in theline. This housing section is provided with an opening 4| into which isinserted, and rigidly secured by welding or other- "wise, a. plug member42 having a concave surface bore 50 in which is mounted a pin or shaft5| upon which is journalled a ball 52 carrying a threaded clamping rod53. J

In the open position of this form of the valve the rods or prongs 45 areentirely withdrawn Figures 4 and 5, whereupon the clamping memto enterinto and be withdrawn from said pas.- 5

her 53 is manipulated to cause its lower end to sage. engage the boss 58with which the cover member 2. In a valve for controlling the flow ofplastic 56 is provided, thereby positively clamping the concretemixtures embodying substantial proporcover 55 in position upon themember 42 to close tions of coarse aggregates which give to such thebores 44 and prevent escape of the mixture mixtures a strong tendency tostow at restric- 10 through the said bores. In this condition theretions, 9, housing having a mixture passage;. a is obviously norestriction imposed upon the plurality of spaced prongs movabletransversely movement of the concrete mixture which would through W O Sd 11 8 in o Sa d Pa produce the stowing action and this section oftransversely thereof to partially obstruct the 15 the pipe will functionin the same manner as same and thereby produce stowing or the mix- 16any other section. However, if the clamping ture to stop its flow; across-head exterior of member 53 be backed off, bail 52 swung upon itssaid housing; yieldable connections between each shaft5l to the positionshown in Figures 6, 7 prong and said cross-head, whereby any prong 'and8 and the rods or prongs 45 introduced into encountering a piece ofaggregate which pre- 20 the bores 44 and projected transversely acrossvents its full travel into said passage may yield; 20 the pipe section50 as shown in these said figures, a rack carried by said cross-head; agear meshthe same restriction or reduction of the crossing with saidrack; means for actuating said sectional area of the pipe section orhousing 40 gear to move the rack and cross-head to cause will beaccomplished as in the previous form of said prongs to enter into and bewithdrawn from the invention and the stowing action of the conaidpassage; and a guiding roller engaging said 25 ciete mixture will followwith the result that rack. I I its motion will be completely stopped. 3.A device for controlling the movement of It is obvious that thoseskilled in the art may materials which have the property of stowlng varythe details of construction as well as the at partial restrictions,having a passage for the precise arrangement of parts without departingmaterial, and a transverse aperture through a a from the spirit of theinvention, and, therefore Wall of said passage. of a width materiallyless it is not wished to be limited to the above disthan that of thepassage; restricting means, also closure except as may be required bythe claims. of less width than said passage, movable through What isclaimed is: v said aperture into said passage, with substan 1. In avalve for controlling the flow of plastic tial space at the sides ofsaid means, whereby concrete mixtures embodying substantial proporsaidpassage will be partially restricted and tions of coarse aggregateswhich give to such movement of the material prevented through mixtures astrong tendency to stow at restricstowing thereof; means for moving saidrestricttions, a housing having a mixture passage; 3, ing means; aremovable cap arranged to be 40 plurality of spaced prongs movablethrough a positioned over said aperture when said restrictfrom the bores44 and a cover member 58 toupon the top surface'ot the member 52 and theball 52 swung to vertical position, as shown in wall of said housinginto said passage transversely thereof to partially obstruct the sameand thereby produce stowing of the mixture to stop its flow; across-head exterior of said housing; yieldable connections between eachprong and said cross-head, whereby any prong encountering a piece ofaggregate which prevents its full trav- Patent No 2, 102, 571.

JOHN C. NERWIN, ET AL.

el into said passage may yield; a rack carried by said cross-head; agear meshing with said rack; and means for actuating said gear to movethe rack and cross-head to cause said prongs ing means is withdrawn fromrestricting position;' and clamping means including a bail and a screwmember carried thereby and engageable with said cap, for positivelyretaining the latter in aperture-closing position.

JOHN C. MERWIN. RUDOLPH F. LINDOW.

CERTIFICATE OF C ORRECTION December 11+, 1957 It is hereby certifiedthat error appears in the printed specification of the above numberedpatent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second I v column, line12, claim 2, strike out the word "transversely"; and that the 'saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the samemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office;

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of February, A.- D. 19

Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

(Seal) Figures 4 and 5, whereupon the clamping memto enter into and bewithdrawn from said pas.- 5

her 53 is manipulated to cause its lower end to sage. engage the boss 58with which the cover member 2. In a valve for controlling the flow ofplastic 56 is provided, thereby positively clamping the concretemixtures embodying substantial proporcover 55 in position upon themember 42 to close tions of coarse aggregates which give to such thebores 44 and prevent escape of the mixture mixtures a strong tendency tostow at restric- 10 through the said bores. In this condition theretions, 9, housing having a mixture passage;. a is obviously norestriction imposed upon the plurality of spaced prongs movabletransversely movement of the concrete mixture which would through W O Sd 11 8 in o Sa d Pa produce the stowing action and this section oftransversely thereof to partially obstruct the 15 the pipe will functionin the same manner as same and thereby produce stowing or the mix- 16any other section. However, if the clamping ture to stop its flow; across-head exterior of member 53 be backed off, bail 52 swung upon itssaid housing; yieldable connections between each shaft5l to the positionshown in Figures 6, 7 prong and said cross-head, whereby any prong 'and8 and the rods or prongs 45 introduced into encountering a piece ofaggregate which pre- 20 the bores 44 and projected transversely acrossvents its full travel into said passage may yield; 20 the pipe section50 as shown in these said figures, a rack carried by said cross-head; agear meshthe same restriction or reduction of the crossing with saidrack; means for actuating said sectional area of the pipe section orhousing 40 gear to move the rack and cross-head to cause will beaccomplished as in the previous form of said prongs to enter into and bewithdrawn from the invention and the stowing action of the conaidpassage; and a guiding roller engaging said 25 ciete mixture will followwith the result that rack. I I its motion will be completely stopped. 3.A device for controlling the movement of It is obvious that thoseskilled in the art may materials which have the property of stowlng varythe details of construction as well as the at partial restrictions,having a passage for the precise arrangement of parts without departingmaterial, and a transverse aperture through a a from the spirit of theinvention, and, therefore Wall of said passage. of a width materiallyless it is not wished to be limited to the above disthan that of thepassage; restricting means, also closure except as may be required bythe claims. of less width than said passage, movable through What isclaimed is: v said aperture into said passage, with substan 1. In avalve for controlling the flow of plastic tial space at the sides ofsaid means, whereby concrete mixtures embodying substantial proporsaidpassage will be partially restricted and tions of coarse aggregateswhich give to such movement of the material prevented through mixtures astrong tendency to stow at restricstowing thereof; means for moving saidrestricttions, a housing having a mixture passage; 3, ing means; aremovable cap arranged to be 40 plurality of spaced prongs movablethrough a positioned over said aperture when said restrictfrom the bores44 and a cover member 58 toupon the top surface'ot the member 52 and theball 52 swung to vertical position, as shown in wall of said housinginto said passage transversely thereof to partially obstruct the sameand thereby produce stowing of the mixture to stop its flow; across-head exterior of said housing; yieldable connections between eachprong and said cross-head, whereby any prong encountering a piece ofaggregate which prevents its full trav- Patent No 2, 102, 571.

JOHN C. NERWIN, ET AL.

el into said passage may yield; a rack carried by said cross-head; agear meshing with said rack; and means for actuating said gear to movethe rack and cross-head to cause said prongs ing means is withdrawn fromrestricting position;' and clamping means including a bail and a screwmember carried thereby and engageable with said cap, for positivelyretaining the latter in aperture-closing position.

JOHN C. MERWIN. RUDOLPH F. LINDOW.

CERTIFICATE OF C ORRECTION December 11+, 1957 It is hereby certifiedthat error appears in the printed specification of the above numberedpatent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second I v column, line12, claim 2, strike out the word "transversely"; and that the 'saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the samemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office;

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of February, A.- D. 19

Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

(Seal)

